CDW Studios School of Visual Effects and Entertainment Design has been running since 2011, providing students Australia wide with the most up to date and relevant education available to work in the VFX and entertainment design industry.
Flinders University
CDW Studios partnered with Flinders University in 2016 to offer the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Effects and Entertainment Design) degree that has been heralded as the number 1 school for Digital Illustration in 2017 by The Rookies. All CDW Studios courses are taught by industry professionals who have worked for a range of international companies such as Disney, Blizzard Entertainment, Rising Sun Pictures, WETA, Wizards of the Coast and Lego just to name a few.
(SATAC Code: 224131)
Live Demonstrations
Students experience learning in a realistic studio setting, and all classes are delivered using a state of the art multimedia facility. Each week instructors provide a live demonstration of the weeks work, before offering individual advice and feedback to all students. Students not only receive individual art critique each week, but are also able to view their instructors workflow, pipeline and techniques.
Career Focused
CDW Studios provides an intense learning experience combined with a friendly and encouraging atmosphere, catering for all skill levels. From 3D modeling to 2D character design, CDW Studios is the right place for anyone wishing to pursue a career in the visual effects and entertainment design industry. The aim of CDW Studios is to deliver practical classes that directly help hone skills used in the professional working environment.
Living in Adelaide
Adelaide has very pretty scenery, and currently stands as one of the 'Worlds Most Liveable Cities' according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2018 rankings. It is a coastal city, which has a number of fantastic beaches a short distance from the city. There are world famous wine regions to the North and South of Adelaide, spoiling any wine lover for choice. The climate in Adelaide is typically considered mild for Australia, but it still has the odd 40 degree day in the middle of summer.
Get to know our Industry Instructors
2D character designer, concept artist and illustrator based in Brisbane, Australia. Currently working at League of Geeks, specializes in art for video games and board games. Previous work at Gameloft, Defiant Development and CDW Animation.
3D modeller and character artist based in Adelaide, Australia, working at Rising Sun Pictures. Previous work on productions including: Logan, Thor Ragnarok, Ford v Ferrari, Spider-Man: Far From Home, The Boys, Mortal Kombat, and Captain Marvel. Previous employers include Monkey Stack, Iloura, and WeMadeAThingStudios.
David is an Adelaide-based storyboard artist and a senior illustrator and character developer for Watermark Creative. He has also worked for Cartoon Network, Warner Brothers, ABC and Netflix. One of his most recent projects was storyboarding for Mortal Kombat (released 2021). He is also the creator of crowdfunded graphic novels, ‘Uncle Silas: EARTH’ and ‘Fia & Miguel’!
Art director at Rising Sun Pictures, based in Adelaide Australia. Previously worked at Disney. Credit list includes Thor Ragnarok, Tomb Raider, Logan, X-Men Days of Future Past, Harry Potter 3-7, and Gravity. Charlotte’s Web, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, The Hunger Games, Game of Thrones (Season 6), Pan, and The Legend of Tarzan.
Freelance concept designer, illustrator and author based in Australia. Client list includes Editions Delcourt, Gunfire Games, Animal Logic, Ankama, Blur studios, Blizzard Entertainment, and Wizards of the Coast. Has worked on multiple French graphic novels, written and illustrated his own comics, and worked on several video games.
Joe Helmore
3D animator and contemporary painter. Previously worked for Assembly LTD, Animal logic, Fuel VFX, Mighty Nice, Plastic wax, Blockhead VFX and CDW Animation on several intellectual properties.
Adelaide based concept designer and illustrator. Currently Art Director at CDW Animation. Previous clients and employers include Monkeystack, Bosskey, Technicolour, Wizards of the Coast, 20th Century Fox and Legendary and Ridley Scott Associates. Specialises in pre-production pitch design, world building and environment design.
3D modeller with a specialty in character modelling and face sculpting, currently Senior Modeller at CDW Animation. Previous clients include Chocolate Liberation Front, Flying Bark Productions, Mighty Nice and Hahn Entertainment on projects including The New Adventures of Figaro Pho, BotterSnikes and Gumbles, Blinky Bill, and game Dota 2.
Creature designer and Creative Director at Tripwire Interactive LLC, based in Georgia, USA. Previously worked for Legacy Effects, Jim Henson's Creature Shop, The Aaron Sims Company, Gentle Giant Studios, Masked Avenger Studios, ID software, Sony Santa Monica and Naughty Dog. Worked on Unchartered series and video games Doom and God of War.
Storyboard artist, character designer and concept artist based in Adelaide, Australia. Peter has worked across the world for companies including Disney Toon Studios, Cartoon Network, Pandemic, Defiant and Blue Tongue Entertainment. He's most proud of his work on original platform video game Deblob 2.
David Cornish is a character designer, illustrator and award winning fantasy author based in Adelaide, Australia. He wrote the acclaimed 'Monster Blood Tattoo' trilogy, and wrote/illustrated children's book 'I Don't Want to Eat My Dinner'. He has worked as an illustrator within the publishing and advertising industries for 20 years.
Adelaide based concept artist working for Flying Bark Animation. Previously worked on Transformers Battlegrounds (Coatsink Games), Hollow Knight (Team Cherry), and the Legend of the Five Rings book covers (Aconyte Books). He has also worked on projects for Sun Creature Animation, Skydance, AdGlobe Games, Edge Studio, Defiant Games, Ubisoft and CDW Animation.
Simon is the founder and Director of CDW Studios. He has been working in the industry for over 15 years as an illustrator, environment designer, matte painter and concept artist. Clients include THQ, EA Games, LEGO, Mighty Kingdom, Animal Logic, Warner Bros and TT Games. His focus is now about creating a world-class education facility in Adelaide, Australia.
Student Work
Alumni
Anthony Robinson
Creative Director
Golden Age Studios
My time at CDW Studios and Flinders University has allowed me to focus 100% of my time on refining my skills set. The discipline I established through my time studying has grown in a way that I can confidently take my abilities and contribute to the entertainment industry.
Susanne Selvarajah
Storyboard Artist
Freelancer
I came from Norway to study with CDW Studios and Flinders University. It was a big move across the globe and I couldn't be happier with my choice to come here. I've gotten to meet so many amazing people through my degree that I can't wait to work with in the future, and studying under some of the best in the industry has been life-changing for me. The degree has given me room to improve on myself, my craft and to create connections I wouldn't have made back in Norway. I can't wait to get started on my career in animation and keep learning and growing!
Studying the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Effects and Entertainment Design) was the best decision I made as an artist. I didn't know what I wanted to do 4+ years ago and Flinders University / CDW Studios provided all the reassurance I needed as a young artist.
My time at CDW Studios and Flinders University has been one of the best experiences of my life and has proven to be a valuable choice to develop my skills and prepare myself for the industry. It's been amazing to have been taught by everyone at CDW Studios and Flinders, and to have the chance to be taught by international professionals in their Masterclasses!
Flinders University and CDW Studios have given me the space to help work out what I do and don't want to be as an artist, and the guidance and resources to help push me down those paths I want to pursue.
BCA (VEED) is an incredible degree, with teachers who want nothing more than to push you to do your best. My experience in this degree has been fun, I've met many people who share similar passions to myself. My lecturers and teachers have continue to fuel my love for animation and digital art in general. I feel that from this degree I have been able to pick up many good drawing habits.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience at CDW Studios and Flinders University. I have learnt from the best teachers who have supported me throughout my journey to become a great 3D modeler. The classes were small, which allowed for individual attention and for making great relationships with class mates and teachers alike.
Eleanor Kirkwood
2D Animator & Illustrator
Freelancer
Studying with Flinders University and CDW Studios has been an immeasurable boost to the quality and confidence of my work. The workshops, the feedback from lecturers, and the support to my projects as allowed me to progress in ways I was not able to before. I'm also far more confident in what I can do and in how I can continue to improve in the future.
I chose CDW Studios because I wanted a career in visual development. In my opinion there is no better way to learn than to learn from the Pros who can teach you the skill and the realities of working in the entertainment industry. Since I arrived at CDW I have grown not only as an artist but as a person as well. I’ve met friends that inspire and motivate me every day.
Alex Bellotti
3D Environment Artist
Big Ant Studios
I began the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Effects and Entertainment Design) degree without any digital art experience at all. The degree helped me figure the right fit for me (environment art) and follow it. Figuring out my career aspirations allowed me to have a clear goal for my study and therefore since that point I've felt myself improving at a quicker rate. I will forever be grateful for the knowledge and guidance I have received from this course.
I chose to study at CDW after wanting to do that level of work through University. I got a taste of the travelling CDW workshops, and fortunately they set up a school in Adelaide so I was able to study there. I wanted to learn from professionals and be a part of the community at CDW Studios. Having the opportunity to meet so many people with similar interests and be trained by artists in the industry was really awesome.
Cameron Hanna
3D Character/Creature Modeller
Freelancer
Studying the Bachelor of Creative Arts (VEED) with CDW Studios and Flinders University helped me figure out the direction I wanted to head towards in terms of careers. With the guidance/assistance of their supportive lecturers and topic coordinators my experience was smooth and rewarding with knowledge of the industry and techniques to develop my sculpting skills.
Alexander Tuma
Texture & Look Development Artist
Mr X
Studying at Flinders University and CDW Studios was fantastic. Having industry professionals come in and teach you, ensures that you are getting up to date industry knowledge and skills ready for employment. I would highly recommend anyone thinking of getting into the industry to take this course.
The teachers at CDW Studios and Flinders University have been phenomenal over the last 4 years. They have been extremely supportive and have helped guide me towards what I am passionate about. They give us just enough freedom to explore our ideas whilst being able to teach us the skills necessary to find work in the industry.
The teachers at Flinders University and CDW Studios have always made time to help us find our own voice, style and stories to share with the world. I cannot take full credit for my successes, as my development has only been possible from the supportive team and classmates at Flinders University and CDW Studios.
I wouldn't be at the skill level I am now or have the confidence I do today if it wasn't for my experience along with my teachers guidance at both Flinders University & CDW Studios. It has been challenging, but my art has grown drastically compared to when I started 4 years ago. This course has provided me with valuable knowledge into possible future careers, and has given me insight into my own journey and what I want to achieve for myself. I am proud I have made it this far, and look forward to what the future has in store.